2024 Year in Review

2024 Year in Review

Fishing Smarter

Fishing Smarter

Fishing Smarter

Making our fisheries more sustainable

We can protect and rebuild endangered salmon runs and still have vibrant fisheries by fishing smarter. We are pushing to cut back Alaskan interceptions of B.C. salmon, expand selective fishing and reign in irresponsible fishing practices here in B.C.

Highlights from 2024

  • We targeted Alaskan salmon retailers and consumers in the U.S. through our online campaign Alaska’s Dirty Secret, reaching thousands and increasing awareness of Alaska’s harmful fishing practices.
  • We expanded government support for Indigenous selective fisheries and continued monitoring new recreational fisheries for coho and chinook salmon. Notably, the Lake Babine Nation’s sustainable terminal fishery, which we have championed and supported for many years, was once again Canada’s largest commercial sockeye fishery.
  • We successfully stopped DFO from reopening the Lower Fraser River gillnet fishery for chum salmon, which poses a high risk to endangered steelhead.

MSC Court Case

Watershed Watch’s Aaron Hill (R) with allies after presenting arguments in a Seattle hearing objecting to the recertification of Alaskan interception fisheries.

FACEBOOK SIZED FOR DESKTOP (1)

The U.S. ads targeting consumers and retailers for our Alaska's Dirty Secret campaign garnered over 530,000 impressions on social media channels.

Fishwheel

Selective fishing projects, like this fish wheel run by the Kitsumkalum First Nation on the Skeena River, allow non-target species like steelhead to be released with minimal harm.

Gillnet boat

Gillnet fisheries can harm or kill non-target species, including fish from endangered salmon and steelhead populations.

Highlights from 2024

  • We targeted Alaskan salmon retailers and consumers in the U.S. through our online campaign Alaska’s Dirty Secret, reaching thousands and increasing awareness of Alaska’s harmful fishing practices.
  • We expanded government support for Indigenous selective fisheries and continued monitoring new recreational fisheries for coho and chinook salmon. Notably, the Lake Babine Nation’s sustainable terminal fishery, which we have championed and supported for many years, was once again Canada’s largest commercial sockeye fishery.
  • We successfully stopped DFO from reopening the Lower Fraser River gillnet fishery for chum salmon, which poses a high risk to endangered steelhead.

MSC Court Case

Watershed Watch’s Aaron Hill (R) with allies after presenting arguments in a Seattle hearing objecting to the recertification of Alaskan interception fisheries.

ads ad

The U.S. ads targeting consumers and retailers for our Alaska's Dirty Secret campaign garnered over 530,000 impressions on social media channels.

fish wheel

Selective fishing projects, like this fish wheel run by the Kitsumkalum First Nation on the Skeena River, allow non-target species like steelhead to be released with minimal harm.

gill net

Gillnet fisheries can harm or kill non-target species, including fish from endangered salmon and steelhead populations.

Looking ahead, we will:

  • Ensure Ocean Wise maintains its stance on Southeast Alaska’s interception fisheries and push for other major eco-labels to follow suit.
  • Increase awareness of Alaska’s interception fisheries and encourage seafood buyers to boycott products that make these fisheries profitable.
  • Make sure DFO listens to the latest science and applies new gear-type and fish-handling recommendations to reduce the death rate for wild fish released in fisheries targeting hatchery-raised salmon.
  • Continue our watchdog efforts and grow public support for selective, sustainable fisheries across B.C.

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2024 Year in Review

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